TY - JOUR
T1 - The ethical protection of genetic information
T2 - procedure analysis for psychologists
AU - Allen, Kelly Ann
AU - McInerney-Leo, Aideen M.
AU - Gamble, Nicholas
AU - Wurf, Gerald
AU - Boyle, Christopher
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors would like to thank Richard Burke, Senior Lecturer in Genetics in the School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melanie Casley, Senior Privacy Consultant, and Linda Gilmore, Professor in educational and developmental psychology in the Faculty of Education, Queensland University of Technology for their early support and guidance in writing this paper.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Australian Psychological Society.
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Objective: New technologies have afforded increased access to genetic testing providing valuable information for individuals and those biologically related. However, the management of such information is challenging for psychologists given the ethical issues that may arise. This paper aims to review the utility of existing ethical standards and current legislation for psychologists when encountering genetic information. Method: Current legislation and guidelines involved in the management of genetic information applicable for psychologists is critically reviewed in light of relevant ethical principles. Results: While knowledge of information that has arisen from genetic testing may guide psychological therapy, intervention, and education, psychologists have a responsibility to uphold their ethical obligations in order to meet the needs of their clients and their families and to prevent harm. Outside the domain of ethically approved human research, and specific guidance for trained genetic counsellors in Australia, ethical guidance on the management of human genetic information is not readily available for psychologists. Conclusions: Technological advances can be expected to continue to present epistemic dilemmas about the use of genetic material. The implications for future psychological practice is discussed.
AB - Objective: New technologies have afforded increased access to genetic testing providing valuable information for individuals and those biologically related. However, the management of such information is challenging for psychologists given the ethical issues that may arise. This paper aims to review the utility of existing ethical standards and current legislation for psychologists when encountering genetic information. Method: Current legislation and guidelines involved in the management of genetic information applicable for psychologists is critically reviewed in light of relevant ethical principles. Results: While knowledge of information that has arisen from genetic testing may guide psychological therapy, intervention, and education, psychologists have a responsibility to uphold their ethical obligations in order to meet the needs of their clients and their families and to prevent harm. Outside the domain of ethically approved human research, and specific guidance for trained genetic counsellors in Australia, ethical guidance on the management of human genetic information is not readily available for psychologists. Conclusions: Technological advances can be expected to continue to present epistemic dilemmas about the use of genetic material. The implications for future psychological practice is discussed.
KW - Ethics
KW - genetic information
KW - guidelines
KW - privacy
KW - psychology
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U2 - 10.1080/13284207.2021.1985376
DO - 10.1080/13284207.2021.1985376
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85118581474
SN - 1328-4207
VL - 26
SP - 1
EP - 10
JO - Clinical Psychologist
JF - Clinical Psychologist
IS - 1
ER -